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Royal Engineer Yacht Club Annual General Meeting / REYC(O)_01
21 March 2015

Introduction

  1. In a busy season Offshore has had a broad spread of activity on the water with a good balance of racing, cruising and adventurous training. There have been some notable successes on the water in our racing programme, particularly the clean sweep at the Army Offshore Regatta, but the greatest success has been the re-introduction of the RE Sail Training week, which was well attended and hugely enjoyable for all those involved. This will be built upon further during 2015 as I strongly believe this sort of activity is the best way to garner interest in the sport, with racing as a means to develop it. Whilst Sapper sailing continues to rise in profile and activity levels increase, most is not carried out on the Corps yachts and I would hope that greater usage of them in future seasons will be a focus for the Offshore Committee – engagement with units is key to success in this area. Training continues to grow and use of our Retired Members and external providers to supplement the JSASTC programme is another area we can usefully exploit.

The Fleet

  1. General. Following last year’s AGM the Offshore Committee has looked at procurement of a new hull. This is covered in detail separately, but in essence would see us selling Ragna, already in train, and replacing her with a new hull targeted at racing, probably a J109 should the Membership agree. Ilex will be furnished with a suite of cruising sails as part of this proposal and will become the Club’s cruiser/racer with Right Royal being the entry level yacht aimed primarily at cruising. In addition, the REYC have been offered a Norfolk Smuggler, Hebe, as a bequest. She will come to us following probate on the estate, which is still underway. We propose running her initially from Gosport at a reduced hire rate (she is an ideal Solent day sailor for short crewing) but are looking at the possibility of berthing her in Scotland to facilitate sailing for 39 Engr Regt out of Kinloss.
  2. Ilex. Ilex is in good shape despite a busy racing season.
  1. Coding. 5 A below waterline inspection has already been conducted by the club’s chosen Yacht Surveyor, Anthony Byrd. He is due to complete the inspection of the remainder of the hull in April as required by the YDSA.
  1. Hull/Sails. Since the last report the mast gate has been replaced and more recently the rudder bearing has also been replaced. A new folding propeller has been fitted along with morse cable and morse control unit. Ilex has already under gone winter maintenance as it seemed logical whilst replacing the rudder bearings, and this has included a cut back and polish of the top sides along with sanding back the hull and 2 smooth layers of antifoul applied. The sails are in good order with only a few minor repairs, recently washed and serviced by North Sails.
  1. Right Royal.
  1. Coding. The midterm inspection survey is due before 21 May 15.
  1. Hull/Sails. The hull is in good order with regular inspections being carried out. The intention is to complete winter maintenance after the Easter regatta at Cowes. The grab rails on the coach roof have been strengthened as they were weak at the fixing points and eventually came off leaving the bolts fixed. The anchor locker lid has received some recent damage where the furling line pulley has been pulled away from the gel coat into the locker and the line has cut through the lid. This has remained off the yacht as the repairs to the old anchor lid have sufficed. The Tack Tick transmitter and link to instruments has been problematical for a while and are being sent away for investigation. All the sails have been cleaned and inspected.
  1. Ragna. Ragnais being prepared for sale; she will be sold through SD Marine. As a consequence, she is not being coded this year and only those works that are absolutely necessary or that will increase her chances of sale are being carried out. There is an issue locating her documents, which is being addressed as a matter of urgency.
  1. Yacht Usage.Yacht usage by activity, yacht and in a table by crew is shown below with data collected by the Adventurous Training Instructors. The key point is that use of the yachts for AT is once again increased – not by as much as I would like, as per last year’s report, but a noticeable increase nonetheless. The reduction in racing reflects a non-Fastnet year and does not include the data for the Wednesday afternoon sailing that has been a regular feature this season. The increased maintenance the issues encountered with Ragna early in the season, which also accounts for the sharp down turn in her usage. The figures below are a conservative estimate of usage and data with greater confidence will be available for my next report.

Yacht / Total Days / Snr
Offr / Offr / SNCO / JNCO / Spr / Retd RE / Retd
Non RE / Civ
Ilex / 43 / 14 / 7 / 2 / 5 / 23 / 28 / 0 / 0
Right Royal / 57 / 27 / 14 / 2 / 5 / 10 / 14 / 0 / 1
Ragna / 16 / 7 / 3 / 0 / 1 / 2 / 4 / 0 / 0

Adventurous Training

  1. UK based AT, on our own yachts, continues but at a low level and this is a focus area for growth. Participation in overseas training, however, appears to be high with many Regiments participating in sailing expeditions from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean.Capturing a holistic view for sailing across the Corps, without introducing bureaucracy, will aid in our marketing efforts – we need to know who is sailing in order to get them to join REYC and assist others in the Corps to partake. Efforts are ongoing to entice units for lower-key (and cheaper) training on the SouthCoast even if that is a planned spring board to sunnier climes. Successes include a small number of RHQ ‘away days’ and the RE Sail Training Week, which saw over 55 Sappers on the water during June 14. James Anderson led the fleet from his yacht Cleone with all 3 REYC yachts 5 Vic 34s, massive spread of units from across the Corps, including individuals in lone service posts.

Racing

  1. Wednesday Afternoons. Simon Finch’s initiative for Wednesday afternoon sailing continues to prove popular and is hoped will grow a cohort of sailors from grass roots level. This is facilitated by use of the Adventurous Training Instructors (ATI – the Bosuns). Whilst this has previously been predominantly filled by Sappers from 22 Engr Regt, it is hoped it will grow and become a more widely attended activity by all Sappers in easy commuting distance of Gosport.
  2. The RORC Easter Challenge. Tom Barker skippered Ilex and Saskia Hart Ragna. The RORC Easter Challenge is always highly competitive and this year was no exception. Whilst our 2 yachts did not necessarily compete for first place, the crews and skippers all learned a lot, gained useful experience and certainly flew the REYC burgee with pride.
  3. The Lymington Meet.REYC were well represented at the Lymington Meet, but sadly came a rather distant second. RC (Regions) and his team ran an excellent meet and I hope that we can put a better showing in next year to justify their efforts.
  4. The Round the Island Race.Chris Maher skippered Ilex for the RTI and achieved a highly creditable 189th overall.
  5. The Army Offshore Regatta. Solid results in both the IRC class (Ilex, LCpl Simpson) and the Victoria 34 Class (WO2 Jason West) meant that the REYC came away with a fine haul of silver including the Dolphin Trophy.Notably Andrew Douglas and crew contributed to the winnings with a spirited performance in Class 2 aboard Andrew’s yacht Rollercoaster - a fine performance all round.
  6. Cowes Week.REYC fielded both Ilex (Jason West skippering) and Ragna (Saskia Hart) at Cowes week. Whilst not bringing home silverware this year, both crews had lots of fun and competed well, gaining useful experience.

Resources Management

  1. A 100% management check of the Offshore equipment and stores was carried out by the Captain of Boats in Q4 of 2014. Only minor discrepancies were found and accounts have been adjusted accordingly.

Finance

  1. Introduction. I am really heartened by the efforts the Treasurer, Simon Finch, has put in. We are far more aware of our financial situation and have far better governance in place. We continue to be financially sound overall, but struggle with cash flow. My key point is that we are a Charity, run not to make money, but to spend it on our Charitable aims. Thus, whilst we are not flush, we are delivering those aims (just) within our means. I am concerned at the slight decline in revenues from chartering the yachts – AT does not bring as much as private charters, but AT meets our aims. We need either to ensure that we balance the yacht usage and promote the private chartering in order to generate sufficient income to deliver funds to permit our charitable activity, or accept we will need more money from central funds to offset our running costs. It will probably be a balance of the 2.
  1. Governance.The REYC(O) accounts are now run wholly within the 22 Engineer Regiment non-public fund (PRI) account using the Paxton accounts management system in accordance with Service Fund Regulations. The accounts were formally transferred from NatWest on 10 Jul 14 and brings the management of this non-public money in line with normal service accounting practice. The 14/15 trading year accounts have been audited by the Regimental Administration Officer (RAO) 22 Engineer Regiment (Maj A Salt) and are found to be accurate.
  1. Summary of Income and Expenditure. A summary in income and expenditure (I&E) is in the table below and covers the past three years to date. All receipts and invoices are retained on file at 22 Engineer Regiment and subsequently archived for up to 7 years (a legal obligation).

Ser
(a) / Item
(b) / Income (£)12/13
(c) / Income (£)13/14
(d) / Income (£)14/15
(e) / Expenditure (£)12/13
(f) / Expenditure (£)13/14
(g) / Expenditure (£)14/15
(h)
1 / Grants / 4,500.00 / 4,500.00 / 5,000.00 / - / - / 400.00
2 / Ilex / 4,172.00 / 8,626.00 / 2,530.00 / 10,431.38 / 13,064.62 / 6,737.24
3 / Ragna / 5,920.00 / 1,880.00 / 4,015.00 / 5,199.47 / 3,655.42 / 4,591.55
4 / R-Royal / 5,530.00 / 6,470.81 / 4,044.00 / 5,316.58 / 3,840.65 / 3,830.16
5 / Unspecified / 5,526.35 / 1,832.28 / 3,160.00 / 7,690.73[1] / 2,235.42[2] / 4,634.17[3]
6 / Cash at Bank / - / - / 3,220.34 / - / - / -
7 / Total / 25,648.35 / 23,309.09 / 21,969.34 / 28,638.16 / 22,769.11 / 20,193.12
  1. Expenditure is further summarised (across the fleet) below:
  1. Mooring Fees (FortBlockhouse).£4,512.42
  2. Lift costs.£1,752.05
  3. Bosun costs.£153.93
  4. Certification.£1,078.25
  5. Chandlery & Repairs.£12,696.47
  6. Total.£20,193.12
  1. Summary of income less expenditure.

Ser
(a) / Trading Year
(b) / Income (£)
(c) / Expenditure (£)
(d) / Surplus/Deficit (£)
(e)
1 / 2012/13 / 25,648.35 / 28,638.16 / -2,989.81
2 / 2013/14 / 23,309.09 / 22,769.11 / 539.98
3 / 2014/15 / 21,969.34 / 22,668.42[4] / -699.08
  1. Property and Inventory Values. The REYC (Main) report covers property (hull) values. The REYC(O) Inventory audit and valuations are covered in the Board of Officers report dated 28 Nov 14. A summary of values are below:

Ser
(a) / Detail
(b) / Ilex
(c) / R-Royal
(d) / Ragna
(e) / Misc
(f) / Totals
(g)
1 / Cost on Purchase (£) / 8,163.74 / 9,172.36 / 10,649.38 / 2,160.00 / 30,145.48
2 / Replacement Cost (£) / 9,547.68 / 19,261.88 / 15,310.43 / 2,629.67 / 46,749.66
3 / Current (written down) 2015 value (£) / 1,047.41 / 9,460.71 / 125.58 / 1,676.70 / 12,310.40

Forecast of Events

  1. The focus for next year will firmly be on training and development as opposed to racing. Whilst there will be the usual racing events, I am hoping that approaches to units to get them involved will bear more fruit next season. The keynote event is our aspiration to hold an RE Sail Training Week in July, with unit boats taking part.
  1. The table below shows key events and dates:

Ser / Dates / Event
(a) / (b) / (c)
1 / 18-20 Apr 14 / RORC Easter Challenge
2 / 27 Apr-2 May 15 / RYA Yachtmaster Course
3 / 11-15 May 15 / AOR
4 / 16 May 15 / Lymington Meet
5 / 1-5 Jun 15 / RE Sail Training Week
6 / 27 Jun 15 / Round the Island
7 / Jul 15 / SOR
8 / 10-14 Aug 15 / Cowes Week
9 / 16 Aug 15 / Fastnet
10 / 27 Sep 15 / Ilex Trophy
  1. RE Sail Training Week. The RE Sail Training Week, which I hope will become the Blue Riband event for REYC training, will follow a similar format to last year and James Anderson has once again offered to lead on delivery, with Murray Smith leaning into the planning, all supported by 22 Engr Regt, who will provide administrative support. It will take place in the week 1-5 June 2015, which coincides with the RE Games (3 & 4 June). Aspirations to include racing as a component part of the RE Games results will have to wait for another year due to the prohibition on using the JSASTC Vic 34 fleet for racing.[5]
  1. Racing Training. Racing provides an excellent combination of adventurous training and competition that aligns well with military ethos. REYC(O) will continue to provide racing opportunities and will be developing more training for racing as well, which will not only improve REYC performances, but also breed a new generation of skippers and crews. Tom Barker has already set in train a number of opportunities that have been advertised, but we intend to grow this aspect of our training.
  1. RYA Training. REYC will continue to deliver RYA Scheme training as a supplement to JSASTC and ASA activity. The first of which will be a Yachtmaster course in Apr 15, but if appetite is shown for more, then we will provide it.
  1. Army Offshore Regatta. Whilst Ilex will be entered and crewed by the Fastnet crew, Jason West is organizing the skippers and crews for Right Royal and our Vic 34. Pleasingly, he is currently oversubscribed.
  1. Lymington. The Lymington weekend follows on straight after the AOR. Whilst the yachts will be delivered to Lymington, Murray Smith will be looking for crews and skippers and Members are encouraged to put their names forward for this event, which is open to Retired and Serving Members alike.
  1. Fastnet 2015. Ilex will be skippered by Rob Duke with a crew primarily drawn from 22 Engr Regt. Tom Barker has been doing sterling work getting the crew qualified by entering RORC events and conducting racing training.
  1. Gallipoli 15. Rob Duke is leading on the RE leg of the Gallipoli expedition with the crew primarily being drawn from 21 Engr Regt.
  1. Transglobe 15. Murray Smith is leading on the Transglobe expedition and it has a crewing focus on 33 and 101 Engr Regts, being linked to the BD75 celebrations.
  1. Ilex Trophy. The next Ilex Trophy will be contested in late Sep 15 and this year will be organized by the Navy. Murray Smith will be trawling for crews closer to the time, but nominations for skippers will be accepted at any time from those available and suitably qualified.

Communications

  1. The Sapper Sailing website continues to add huge value and various Facebook pages and email shots from Murray Smith ensure that communications are comprehensive and inclusive. The ATI capture crew list contact details at Gosport to ensure future sailors of note become part of the communications package. The key target for 2015 will be to market sailing more effectively within Regiments and promote the sport proactively.

REYC(O) Committee

  1. The Committee is having some notable changes due to posting, departures and commitments. I am leaving the Army and Lt Col Gavin Hatcher has kindly volunteered to take up those reins. The departure of Cpl Busby and LCpl Simpson has seen wholesale change in the Adventure Training Instructors (ATI) (Bosuns) and we look forward to Spr Joel Reeve (22 Engr Regt) joining the team after completing his B1 ME Cbt course and Spr O’Brien (21 Engr Regt) after completing his PJNCO Cadre. Cpl Adam Hearne (26 Engr Regt) continues and has stepped up to be the senior ATI.

  1. Governance. Corps Cabal is currently looking at governance arrangements for all Corps Sports and a proposal is being staffed whereby 8 Engr Bde commanding officers will be allocated a sport to “Chair” with their RAO providing the financial support and oversight. It is currently being proposed that 22 Engr Regt will look after sailing. This should be an opportunity to gain support for sailing, but will not affect daily running by the Committee. It is still being staffed and is not yet policy.
  1. Standard Operating Procedures. Captain of Boats is currently re-writing a set of SOPs for use in Offshore which will allow day to day details of running the yachts to be extracted from the Rules and Byelaws of the Club and placed where they can be accessed more easily.

Summary

  1. This has been a busy and productive year on the water with some notable results. Offshore sailing is growing in popularity and uptake; that the REYC yachts are not being utilised as much as I would like is an area we can work on, but the increase in the number of Sappers sailing is excellent news and indicates that the market is there to grow the number of qualified sailors in the Corps. Our key target is to exploit the opportunities this presents and provide the events that encourage more use of our yachts, facilities and expertise. The number of events planned for the 2015 season reflect this and the RE Sail Training Week in June will showcase what is available

PE CRICK

Lieutenant Colonel

Rear Commodore (Offshore)

Royal Engineer Yacht Club

1

[1] Includes Hulls contribution of £1,636.26

[2] Excludes outstanding Hulls contribution due of £1,100.30

[3] Excludes outstanding Hulls contribution due of £1,374.90

[4] Includes Hulls liabilities for 13/14 and 14/15 totalling £2,475.20

[5] This is a factor that the Ctte can usefully engage with the Vic 34 Project Team on to get a dispensation for the RE STW to be able to race, using the AOR as a precedent.